More Blessed To Give

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Acts 20:35


Paul was saying farewell to elders of the church in Ephesus. He instructs them to feed and shepherd God’s flock, entrusts them with God’s word and gives them advice on giving. Not having to think too deeply because time after time I’ve received much more blessings through giving than by receiving. Whether through giving monetarily such as to the needy or certain ministry, giving of time as a volunteer or lending of self such as a hand, an ear or my heart to help someone in need, I have got much blessings. Psalm 112:9 says, “They share freely and give generously to those in need.Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor.” Further, Proverbs 11:24-25 says “Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”

Hence, I hope we all reminded that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Not only remember but more importantly to do giving. Try it!

Homekeeping

"The job of keeping a home is an honorable one.
There is a difference between a housekeeper and a homekeeper.
A hired housekeeper will keep the home clean and do
the duties as expected of her employer, but a homekeeper
does the duties in her home from her heart.

She does it out of love for her family. She looks upon
her duties as the most important job in all the world.
It takes a lot of patience, skill, commitment
and love to be a keeper of your home.
Be faithful; in due time,
your family will rise up and call you blessed."

~Mrs. Martha Greene
Treasury of Vintage Homekeeping Skills

Wishing all of you a very... "Fruitful Recess!"

"She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all."
Proverbs 31:27-29

How Does God Want to Use Me In Other's Lives

“I exhort therefore, that . . . prayers . . . be made . . . for all that are in authority”
1 Timothy 2:1-2

Do I faithfully pray for the leaders that God has placed in my life (e.g.parents, cell group leaders, pastor, employer, government), asking God to bless them, to meet their needs, to protect them, and to make them godly leaders?
When someone in a position of authority fails, do I pray for them, rather than criticizing or attacking them?

“She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness”
Proverbs 31:27

Am I a hard worker?
Am I attentive to the needs of those around me?
Am I faithful in fulfilling practical responsibilities in my home?

“. . . well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds”
1 Timothy 5:10

Is my life characterized by compassion, sacrifice, and acts of service?
Do I have a reputation for reaching out to minister to the needs of others?

“Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality”
Romans 12:13

Am I sensitive to the needs of other believers?
Am I generous in sharing with others who are in need?
Do I open my home to minister to others?

“Teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good”
Titus 2:3

Is my life a godly example to younger women?
Am I self-controlled and temperate in the way I speak and in my lifestyle?
Am I actively involved in teaching younger women how to live their lives according to the Word of God?

“Train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God”
Titus 2:4–5

Are my priorities in order? God, family,study/career?
Am I adequately focused on loving and meeting the needs of my family?
Do I model a selfless, sacrificial, serving love for my family?
Is my spirit self-controlled, pure, and kind?

How Does A Woman of God Conduct Herself

“All the city . . . doth know that thou art a virtuous woman”
Ruth 3:11

Do I have a reputation for being a woman of virtue and godly character?
Do I keep myself pure from all influences that could defile my heart, thoughts, or actions?

“She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness” Proverbs 31:26

Do I bless my family, friends by speaking words that are kind and wise?
Do I study and meditate on the Word of God so that I can know how to speak wise words?
Am I able to give people to specific Scriptures that apply to their lives and needs?

“Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone” Proverbs 25:15

Am I willing to wait quietly for God to change the heart of an authority that I feel is wrong, rather than pushing or nagging?
Do I seek to influence others by gentle words, rather than controlling them with harsh words?

“A woman should learn in quietness and full submission”
1 Timothy 2:11

Do I have a teachable spirit?
Do I receive instruction with an obedient spirit?

“It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman”
Proverbs 21:19

Does my spirit make it easy for those I live or work with to be around me?
Do I frustrate others or make them want to stay away from me because of an angry spirit?

What Makes A Beautiful Woman

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment . . . . Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit”
1 Peter 3:3–4

Do others see in me an inner radiance and beauty that are the result of a grateful, gentle spirit?
Do I focus more time and effort on cultivating inner spiritual beauty than I do on matters of external beauty?

“This is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful”
1 Peter 3:5

Am I more concerned about being holy than about being happy?
Am I placing my hope and trust in God rather than in people?

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised”
Proverbs 31:30

Am I more concerned about cultivating my relationship with the Lord than about being fashionable, stylish, or physically attractive?
Do I live in the constant, conscious recognition of the presence of God?
Do I desire to please God more than I desire the approval of others?

“I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety”
1 Timothy 2:9

Do I dress modestly?
Do my clothing styles encourage men to think pure thoughts, rather than stimulating them to have sensual thoughts or desires?
Do I dress in such way to draw attention to the heart and spirit of Jesus within me, rather than to my physical body?

“. . . not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes”
1 Timothy 2:9

Do I avoid extreme or excessive fashions (hair, clothing, jewelry, make-up) that could draw attention to myself or cause people to be distracted?
Do I avoid extravagant jewelry or clothing that could show my wealth or cause others to be envious?
Do my clothes and outward appearance portray a spirit of moderation, purity?

White Angel Pancake

Serving size: 4

Ingredients:
150 gram tepung terigu
50 gram gula halus
10 gram baking powder
1 sdt vanili
2 butir telur
150 ml susu cair
60 gr mentega

Directions:
1. Campur terigu,gula halus,vanili dan baking powder, aduk rata.
2. Masukkan telur dan susu cair, aduk hingga rata.
3. Masukkan mentega cair, aduk terus hingga rata dengan mixer sekitar 4 menit.
4. Panaskan pan dadar diameter 10 cm. Tuang adonan, masak hingga permukaan bergelembung, balik, angkat jika pancake sudah sedikit mengembang. Lakukan hal yang sama hingga bahan habis.
Sajikan dengan es krim vanila dan potongan biscuit kelapa.

Love, Forgive, Help and Serve Regardless

“And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility.”
Acts 6:3


In this context, believers grumble over food. Further twelve apostles find themselves burdened with administering the food program, instead of spending time preaching and teaching. To solve this problem, their resolution is to delegate the responsibility. They choose seven men based on 3 attributes being — well-respected, full of the Spirit and wisdom.
As I reflect on this several thoughts speak to my heart. First, some things never seem to change. Doesn’t the grumbling sound similar to what Moses faced with the Israelites in the desert after leaving Egypt? This also happen in today's time. Maybe not so much about food but still a lot of grumble and discontentment. Such as among members attending church service while expecting ushers to serve as if they are at a paid event. Next, some things do change. This time not with the people but now with the apostles. Unfortunately, not always for the better. In Matthew 14, we can see what Jesus told the disciples when they wanted Him to send the crowd of five thousand away to the village to buy food for themselves. He said in Verse 16 “…That isn’t necessary—you feed them.” In other words, Jesus want the disciples not only to teach and preach but also to meet the needs of people through serving. As I’ve learned, lessons are often best taught and preached through action.
Overall, we acknowledge and understand grumbling and discontentment will always exist. Thus love, forgive, help and serve regardless. Also, to remember to walk the talk as often as opportunities come my way. For action, many times speak louder than mere words. Therefore once again love, forgive, help and serve by doing more, talking less and regardless.

God bless you.

The Titus 2 Woman

"Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God."
Titus 2:3-5

I have been blessed to look up to a few godly women in my life. God called me into His Kingdom to serve Christ and others. However, He does not call His children into the Kingdom alone. He calls us to rejoice with the brethren, have fellowship and grow in the grace and knowledge of Him.
One of the most important Titus 2 relationships we should have with a woman should be with our mother.
I have been blessed to have a strong, healthy, and rich relationship with my mother, a relationship that has been open, truthful and most importantly Christ centered. As young women we must be quick to listen, slow to speak and humble enough to admit our sin and be willing to listen to our mothers who the Lord has given.
I know personally that it can be hard to take correction... but we must be willing to take correction...if we want to grow.
"Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." ~ Proverbs 27:6

This being said, however,I understand that not all young women will ever have a strong Titus 2 bond with their mothers since we do still live in an fallen world, where many young Christian ladies might have moms that have died or some might even have moms that are non believers. But please let this not keep you from the rich hope of finding a Titus 2 mentor who can be a spiritual woman after God's own heart for you.

Seek out older women in church to be your Titus 2 mentor or spiritual mother,. The godly mentor you may find may be a woman in Christ who has never bore any earthly children, or a godly woman who has bore many and is in her Grandma stage of life!

Whatever stage of life she is in, before you seek her out to assume this awesome and important role, make sure she is a woman who is~
-fully devoted to Christ
-her heart is turned towards home
-she is a woman who sees her mission in life first to serve Christ and then to serve others.
-she is a woman who submits joyfully to godly authority.... (husband, elders in church etc)

To those younger women who think they are not a Titus 2 influence or a spiritual sister to anyone, let me assure you.... you are indeed! You might not be aware that anyone is watching you but let me tell you they might be! It could be little kid who is only five or six years old..... who is watching you from a distance...... admiring your modesty, feminity and even your respectful attitude toward your parents.
You can show them that modesty is lovely, femininity is beautiful and that respecting parents is somethinggood.

To the many godly woman, be assured of your noble calling in "training the younger women" in what things are good! Please be aware that we need this vision, hope and encouragement from those who have gone before us and walked paths that we have never walked.

And finally I dedicate this article to my dear mother.... who gave birth to me... who has loved me...
and who has encouraged me greatly in the ways of Christ and in the like manner of Titus 2.

Pope Driver

After getting all of Pope John Paul's luggage loaded into the limo (and he doesn't travel light), the driver notices that the Pope is still standing on the curb. "Excuse me, Your Holiness," says the driver, "Would you please take your seat so we can leave?" "Well, to tell you the truth," says the Pope," they never let me drive at the Vatican, and I'd really like to drive today."

"I'm sorry but I cannot let you do that. I'd lose my job! And what if something should happen?" protests the driver, wishing he'd never gone to work that morning.

"There might be something extra in it for you," says the Pope.

Reluctantly, the driver gets in the back as the Pope climbs in behind the wheel. The driver quickly regrets his decision when, after exiting the airport, the Pontiff floors it, accelerating the limo to 105 mph.

"Please slow down, Your Holiness!!!" pleads the worried driver, but the Pope keeps the pedal to the metal until they hear sirens.

"Oh, dear God, I'm gonna lose my license," moans the driver.

The Pope pulls over and rolls down the window as the cop approaches, but the cop takes one look at him, goes back to his motorcycle, and gets on the radio.

"I need to talk to the Chief," he says to the dispatcher.

The Chief gets on the radio and the cop tells him that he's stopped a limo going a hundred and five.

"So bust him," says the Chief.

"I don't think we want to do that, he's really important," said the cop.

The Chief exclaimed, "All the more reason!"

"No, I mean really important," said the cop.

The Chief then asked, "Who ya got there, the Mayor?"

Cop: "Bigger."

Chief: "Governor?"

Cop: "Bigger."

"Well," said the Chief, "Who is it?"

Cop: "I think it's God!"

Chief: "What makes you think it's God?"

Cop: "He's got the Pope as a driver!!